peck

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pecked p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking. ] [ See Pick, v. ] 1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The hen ] went pecking by his side. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

To peck at, (a) to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease. (a) to eat slowly and in small portions, with litle interest; as, to peck at one's food. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks holes in trees; a woodpecker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An instrument for pecking; a pick. Garth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The penis; -- an obscene term for the male sexual organ. [ Vulgar ]
Syn. -- penis, cock, prick, tool, peter, dick, shaft [ all but the first considered obscene ]. [ PJC ]

Flower pecker. (Zool.) See under Flower. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inclined to eat; hungry. [ Colloq. ] “When shall I feel peckish again?” Beaconsfield. [ 1913 Webster ]